St Mary’s Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic Cathedral which stands at the heart of our medieval city. It was consecrated in 1857 and built, in that post famine time, by the contributions of the people of Kilkenny at an estimated cost of £25,000. This magnificent Cathedral is made from hand-cut Kilkenny Limestone and is 186 feet high, visible from all approaches to the city, and has a cruciform design.
The model for this wonderful Cathedral was Gloucester Cathedral from the south west of England and its architect was William Dean Butler of Dublin, who coincidently also designed St Kieran’s College at its new, and current home, in 1836 (St Kieran’s College is the oldest Catholic Secondary School in Ireland).
St Mary’s Cathedral is actually the second church to bear this name in Kilkenny. The first was founded in 1218 and was located behind the Town Hall just off High Street, the main street of Kilkenny City. That location is now the home to the Medieval Mile Museum.
Why not visit this wonderful Cathedral and take our interactive tour, in the major languages, by scanning the QR codes throughout the Cathedral and along the tour corridor at the front of the Cathedral.
Facilities include:
- Information leaflets
- Interactive self-guided tour
- Gift shop
- Toilets
- Wheelchair access
- Cathedral cafe (coming soon)
St Mary’s is also an active, Roman Catholic, faith community; with Masses as follows
| Sunday | 11am & 5:30pm |
| Holy Days | 9am |
| Monday – Saturday | 9am |
| Sacrament of Reconciliation | First Saturday of the Month in the Cathedral or by appointment |
| Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday |
